Valve and air charger for pumps and storage tanks



Feb. 25, 1947. J. .E. PICCARDO 2,416,345

VALVE AND AIR CHARGER FOR PUMPS AND STORAGE TANKS Filed Aug. 5, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIEJL 75 INVENTOR.

fear 1.. Px'ccarab ZM FM Patented Feb. 25, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,416,345

VALVE AIR CHARGER FOR PUBIPS AND STORAGE TANKS Shasta Pump fornia mpany, a corporation of Cali- Application August 5, 1944, Serial No. 548,233

19 Claims. (Cl. 103-6) The invention relates to valve mechanisms and to air pump or charging means adapted for use with a well pump and storage tank therefor wherein a predetermined quantity of water or other well fluid is automatically suppliedto and maintained in the tank under a predetermined air pressur head as the water or other-fluid is withdrawn for use from the tank.

In water pressure systems to which the present invention is related, the water supply in the storage tank will vary between predetermined levels, there being at all times provided over the water level a head or cushion'of compressed air. As water is withdrawn-from the tank, the water level drops with acorresponding expansion and reduction of pressure of the air cushion. When the water supply and pressure are thus reduced inthe tank to a predetermined amount, usually about 20 lbs. per sq. inch pressure, the pump is automatically started and the water in the tank replenished to a predetermined quantity and pressure, usually about 40 lbs. per sq. inch, when the operation of the pump is automatically stopped. Because air is lost by absorption into the water and otherwise, the air cushion in the tank must be recharged with additional air. An object of the present invention is to provide a valve mechanism and air charger of the character described in which a positive displacement air pump is unitarily combined with and motivated by a pressure responsive valve mechanism connected between the pump and storage tank whereby the establishing of communication between the pump and tank during operation of the pump and the charging of the tank with air during each pump operation will be automatically accomplished.

Another object of th invention is to provide a valve mechanism of the character described which is adaptedfor use in a deep well system using an ejector pump in the bottom of the well for elevating the water to a centrifugal or other, type pump located at or near the surface of the well, and wherein the valve mechanism is designed to provide a suflicient back pressure in the discharge passage of the centrifugal pump to insure proper operation of the ejector pump. As a further object of the invention, the valve mechanism herein provided may be adjusted to provide an optimum back pressure for the particular installation in which it is used.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in a device of the character described, a novel and eflicacious design, construction and arrangement of parts including a minimum number of sturdily formed parts assembled in a single casv 2 ing or housing and coacting to provide the pressure responsive valve means and the air pump tion of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and 1 forming part of the specification. It is to be'understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawings and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention I as set forth in the claims.

right angles thereto.

Figure 4 is a cross-section view of the unit taken substantially on the plane of line 4-4 on Figure 3..

The valve and air chargerunit 6 of the present invention is adapted for use with a water pressure system such as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing. This system includes a centrifugal pump 1 mounted at the surface of a well shaft 8, driven by an electric motor 9, having an'intake column or suction pipe H connected thereto extending to the bottom of the well, and having a discharge passage l2, here connected by pipe III to the unit 6. A pipe l4 connects unit 6 to a storage tank It adapted to receivev and store under pressure water or other fluid delivered by the pump I, the tank being provided with an outlet pump I. The nozzle I9 is connected to the lower end of a pressure delivery pipe 2| extending into the well from the discharge passage I! of the centrifugal pump 1. Connected to the chamber l8 for admitting well fluid, is a foot or check valve 22 which opens to admitwell fluid when the pump 1 is in operation and a reduced pressure is thereby created in the chamber l8; and closes to seal on the pump lines I! and I2 and the chamber 18 from the well fluid on discontinuance of pump operation. A pressureresponsive electric switch mechanism 23, having a pressure connection 24 to.

the tank and an electrical connection 26 to the amazes electric motor 9 and source of electric power, is constructed and operates in the usual manner to to a predetermined maximum level 28 (commonly set at about 40 lbs. per sq. inch). I ffdesired, a usual air vent valve 29 may be provided on the tank at the maximum water level so as to vent pump when the pressures in hambers 4| and 44 equalize.

Fluid flow through the unit from the pump to the storage tank is effected through an opening 52provided in the intermediate wall 42 connecting the pump chamber 44 with the tank chamber 43. Preferably and as here shown this opening is positioned in longitudinal alignment with the centers of the diaphragms'32 and 33 and is formed to slidably receive the valve part 3| which is here of cylindrical shape to fltthe opening and is connected at its oppositeends to center portions oil excess air which may accumulate in the tank.

i The valve and air charger unit 6 as illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, comprises briefly the combination of a valve part 3| operatively positioned in the passage between the pump I and the tank I 6 and movable to positions opening and closing such passage, 9. pressure responsive actuator 32 bydraulically' connected to the pump 1 and motivated by the pressure differential generated thereby to displace the valve part into its open and closed positions, and an air pump means 33 operatively connected to the valve part and pressure responsive actuator and displaced thereby for pumping air under pressure into the tank.

Preferably the several operating elements of the unit 6 are unitarily assembled in a single housing or casing 34, here composed of a generally hollow center section 36 and end sections or covers 31 and 38. Secured peripherally to the opposite ends of the center section 36 at the covers or end walls 31' and 38, are flexible diaphragms which here provide the pressure responsive and pump elements 32 and 33, and define with the end walls 3'I and 38, end chambers 39 and 4| of variable volume depending upon the relative endwise position ofthe diaphragms. An intermediate wall 42 is provided across the interior of the casing between the diaphragms 32 and 33 to provide therewith a pair of interior chambers 43 and 44 adapted for connection, by fittings 46 and 41 promosphere.

of the diaphragmsjz and 33. Fluid flow through the opening 62, normally prevented by the positioning of the valve part therein, is permitted upon movement of the valve part to place a fluted portion 53 of the valve part in the opening. The fluted portion 53 is here formed of a plurality of circumferentially spaced channels 54 having a longitudinal dimension somewhat longer than the thickness of wall 42 at the opening 52. Desirably the bottom wall 56 of'each channel is sloped to the cylindrical periphery of the valve part so as to provide a conical like opening through the fluted portion upon initial opening of the valve part as illustrated in Figure 3. to thereby afford better regulation of v the size of the passage through the opening 62 in the partial open positions of the valve part.

The variable and chamber 39 here provides the air pump chamber for the unit and is provided with an air intake passage 51, formed in the end cover 31, and adapted for-connection to the at- An air intake check valve 58 (here of the type used in automobile tire tubes) is mounted in the passage 5'! and functions to admit air.

upon expansion of the chamber 39 and to close vided by the casing section 36, to the tank l6 and the discharge passage l2 of the pump 1 respectively. The end chamber 4|, separated from the high pressure chamber 44 by diaphragm 32, is adapted for connection to a relatively reduced pressure point at the pump 1., For this purpose the. adjacent end wall 38 is provided with an opening 48 for connection as by conduit 49 to the pump suction pipe I l. Where a multi-stage centrifugal pump is used, the conduit 49 may be connected to an intermediate stage rather than the pump intake. In either event, the function of the connection is to utilize a pressure differential generated by the pump when in operation to operatively displace the pressure responsive element 32 by applying the pressure differential to the opposite sides thereot in chambers 4| and 44. Thus when the pump is in operation, the pressure differential generated thereby will displace diaphragm 32 toward the end chamber 4|. Mounted in the end chamber between the end wall 38 and the diaphragm 32, is a helical spring 6| which is compressed upon movement of the diaphragm 32 into the chamber 4| during operation of the pump, and which returns the diaphragm 32 to its opposite displaced position into chamber 44 upon stopping of operation of the thereof. Also formed in the and cover 31, is an air discharge passage 59 which communicates the air pump chamber 39 with the adjacent tank chamber 43. The passage 59 is here reduced as at 6|- to provide a constriction to the water flow therethrough from the tank chamber 43 into the air chamber 39 so that upon the rapid expansion of the air chamber, air will-be drawn into the chamber through check valve 58. On subsequent contraction of the air pump chamber, the air thus introduced and also any excess water which has entered through passage 59, are forced out of the pump chamber 39, through passage 59, into the tank chamber 43, for ultimate passage to the tank.

Connection of the valve part 3| to the diaphragm 33 may be effected in any suitable manner so as to maintain thereat the seal between the tank and air'pump chambers 43 and 39. As

here shown, reenforcing plates 63 and 64are mounted on opposite sides of the diaphragm and are secured with the diaphragm to the adjacent end face of the valve part 3| by means of a machine screw 66. Connection of the opposite end of valve part 3| to the diaphragm 32 is eifected in a similar manner by means of reenforcing- ,plates 61 and 68 and a hollow screw 69 having a center-bore H which registers ,with a longitudinal recess or chamber 12 provided in the adjacent end of the valve member 3|. Mounted in the -chamber 12 for longitudinal reciprocation therein is a plunger 13 which is normally urged to an out- 4 the bores II and I2; is

adapted to enter the bore I I, upon movement of the diaphragm 32 into the chamber 4i, to engage and displace the pllmger 13 gainst the resilient resistance of the spring I4. As an important feature of the present construction the stem II is adjustable longitudinally,

- so as to control the resilient resistance to the'full.

opening of the valve passage. 52. As here shown the stem II is threaded through the end cover 38 and is engageable at its outer end I8 for turning to eifectits longitudinal adjustment. A cap I8 is preferably detachably secured to the end cover in enveloping relation to the stem end 18 to pre- A vent undesirable tampering with the adjustment.

If desired a priming opening 8|, normally closed by threaded plug 82, may be provided in the casing at the pump chamber 44 to permit initial priming of the pump.

Operation The position of the several parts of the unit during the normal period of inactivity of the pump 1, when the waterlevel and pressure in the tank is above the predetermined level 21, is shown in Figure 2. When the pump 1 is not in operation, foot valve 22, at the bottom of the pump intake and discharge columns 8 and II, is closed; the pump discharge and intake pressures in chambers 44 and 4| are equalized; the pres-' sures in the air pump chamber 39 and the tank chamber 43 are equalized through the connecting passage 59; and the diaphragm 32 and connected valved part 3| and diaphragm 33 are displaced by-the spring 5| to the closed position of the valve member and the contracted position'of the air pump chamber 39. In this position of the parts, chambers 4| and 43 are relatively expanded and chambers 44 and 39 are relatively contracted.

As water is used from the tank and the water level and pressure are reduced to the predetermined minimum, the pressure responsive electric switch 23 closes to cause energizing of the electric motor 9 and operation of the pump 1. The pressure difierential generated by the pump and applied to chambers 44 and 4| rapidly displaces.

auasu 6 A contraction of the chamber 33. air is pumped through the discharge passage 33 intothe tank chamber 43 for passage to the tank.

In shallow well pump installations, the ejector pump 28 may be'eliminated or in any event the back pressure in the discharge. line reduced to balanced by an equal pressure in the air pump chamber 39 on the opposite side of the diaphragm by reason of the connecting passage 59'so that .the tank pressure is neutralized insofar as its eifect on movement of the valve is concerned.

Thus, the size of the air pump diaphragm 33 may be selected either larger or smaller than the actuator diaphragm 32 in accordance with the amount of air desired to be pumped.

I claim:

1. In combination with a pump and a tank for storing under pressure fluid pumped thereby;

a pressure responsive valve mechanism adapted for connection to .said pump and to said tank the diaphragm 32 against the resistance of spring 5| to register the fluted portions 53 of the valve member with the opening 52, thereby opening.

the passage between the pump discharge chamber 4'4"and the tank. This position of the parts is illustrated in Figure 3. It will be noted that as the fluted portion of the valve member approaches the valve opening, the stem I1 is engaged by the spring pressed plunger 13 to limit the opening of the valve as a function of the pressure differential generated by the pump and to thereby maintain a requisite back pressure in the discharge column 8 for proper operation of the ejector pump 20. In the movement of the parts from the position illustrated in Figure 2 to position illustrated in Figure 3, the air chamber 39 is expanded and airadmitted thereto through the inlet checkyalve 58 as above described.

As the water level and pressure in the tank are raised to a predetermined maximum, the pressure responsive switch 23 opens and operation of the pump I stops. With the stopping of the pump, foot valve 22 closes, the pressures in chambers 44 and 4i equalize, and the spring 5| displaces the diaphragm 32 thereby moving the valve I member to a closed position in the valve opening 52 and compressing the air pump chamber to its contracted position as shown in Figure 2. On

and having a. valve part motivated by the pres-- sure difl'erential generated by said pump and coacting with passages provided in said mechanism to open and close fluid passage from-said pump to said tank as said pump is and is not in operation, and air pump means connected to and operatively displaced by said valve part forv pumping air under pressure into said tank.

2. In combination with a pump and a tank for storing under pressure fluid pumped thereby; a valve mechanism comprising, a housing having intake and discharge passages adapted for connection to the discharge passage of said pump and to said tank respectively, a valve part movable into positions permitting and preventing registration and communication of the aforesaid housing passages, pressure responsive means mounted in said housing and connected to said valve part and'adapted for connection to pressure differential points on said pump and operated by the pressure differential at "said points generated by said pump when in operation to move said valve part to its aforesaid passage opening position and operable on discontinuance of said pressure differential to move said valve part to its aforesaid passaged closing' position. and air pump means connected to and motivated by said pressure responsive means for pumping air under pressure into said tank.

3. In combination with a pump and storage tank; a'regulating valve and air charger comprising a valve casing having a passage adapted for connection between the output of said pump and said tank, a valve part mounted in saidcasing and movable to positions opening and closing said passage, spring means normally urging said valve part to closed position, pressure responsive means connected to said valve part a and having passages adapted for connection to relative intake and discharge passages of said pump and being operated by pressure differential generated by said pump when in operation for moving said valve part toopen position against the resistance of said spring, and air' pump means having a discharge e for connection to said tank and being connected to and operatively displaced by said valve part for pumping air into said tank.

4. In "combination with a pump and tank for st'oringyunder pressure fluid pumped .thereby; a

I valve casing having a passage adapted for connection to said pump and said tank, a valve part mounted in said casing and movable to positions opening and closing said passage, spring means normally urging said valve part to closed position, pressure responsive means connected to said 1 valve part and having passages adapted'for connection to relative intake and discharge passages of said pumpand being operated by pressure diflerential generated by said pump when in operation for moving said valve part to open position against the resistance of said spring, and a positive displacement air pump adapted for.

connection to said tank and having a reciprocating air displacing part operatively connected to said pressure responsive means, the design of.

said air pump being such that said air displacing partwill move through an intake stroke during movement of said valve part to open position and will move through a discharge stroke during movement of said valve part to closed position.

5. In combination witha pump and tank for I storing under pressure fluid pumped thereby; a

valve casing having a passage adapted for connection to said pump and said tank, a valve part "mounted in said casing and movable to positions opening and closing said'passage. spring means normally urging said valve part to closed position, pressure responsive means connected to relative intakeand discharge passages of said pump and being operated by pressure diflerentlal generated by said pump when in operation for moving said'valve part to open position against the resistance of said spring, and a diaphragm mounted in said casing and defining with portions thereof anair pump chamber having inlet and discharge passages adapted for connection to the atmosphere an said tank respectively, said diaphragm being operatively connected to and displaced by said valve part to change the volume of said pump chamber uponmovement of said valve part to its positions aforesaid;

6. In combination with a pump and a tank for storing under pressure fluid pumped thereby; a regulating ,valve and air charger comprising, a casing having inlet and discharge chambers adapted for connection to the discharge passage of said pump and said tank respectively and formed with a valve passage connecting said chambers, a, diaphragm mounted in said casing with one side thereof in communication with said inlet chamber, the opposite side of said dia'- phragm defining with portions of said casing a low pressure chamber adapted for connection to the intake passage of said pump whereby the pressure differential generated by said pump when in operation will cause said diaphragm to move inthe direction of said low pressure cham her, a valve movable to positions opening and closing said valve passage and being connected to said diaphragm and displaced thereby to open position upon movement ofv said diaphragm as aforesaid on operation of said pump, spring means urging said diaphragm and valve to a closed position of said valve on discontinuance of pump operation, and a second diaphragm defining with portions of said casing an air pump chamber having intake and discharge passages adapted for connection to the atmosphere and defining therewit aci s said tank respectively, said'second diaphragm being connected to said valve and movable therewith to produce a volumetric change in said air pump chamber.

'7. In combination with a pump and a tank' for storing under pressure fluid pumped thereby; a

regulating valve and air chargen comprising, a casing, a pair of flexible diaphragms peripherally secured to said casing adjacent opposite walls thereof to define with said walls end chambers of variable volume, an interior wall extending member respectively opening and closing said valve passage, the pressure differential generated by said pump when in operation and acting in said last'named interior chamber ,and adjacent end chamber functioning to move said valve member to open position, and spring means urging said valve member to closed position on discontinuance of operation of said pump, the otherv end chamber having passages adapted for connection to the atmosphere and said tank coacting with the volumetric change of said last named end chamber topump air into said tank.

v8. Amechanism'as defined in claim '7 wherein said valve member is formed with a longitudinal recess extending to an end thereof and through the diaphragm secured thereto at the end chamber connected to the intake passage of said pump, ahelical spring mounted in said recess, a stem member secured to said adjacent end wall in longitudinal alignment with said recess and adapted to enter said recess and engage and compress said spring upon movement of said valve member toward said end wall to the open position of said valve member, and means for adjusting the longitudinal position of said stem member for controlling the amount of opening of said valve member.

9. In combination with a pump having inlet,

anddischarge passages and a storage tank, a

\ valve casing having agpassageway connected between said discharge passage and said tank, a valve movablymounted in said passageway to control the fluid flow therethrough, spring means normally urging said valve towards a closed position of said passageway, a pressure actuator connected to said valve and having passages connected to the inlet and discharge passages of said pump and operated by the pressuredifferential generated by said pump when in operation to displace said valve toward an open position of said passageway against the resistance of said spring means, and a variable air pump chamber having an air discharge passage connected to said tank and connected to and contracted and expanded by the operation of said spring means and pressure actuator to pump air into said tank.

10. A regulating valve and air charger for a pump and storage tank'comprising, a body having intake and discharge passages and a connecting valve passage, a valve part operatively positioned in said valve passage and functioning on displacement to regulate the flow in said valve pasa pressure responsive actuator including relatively high and low pressure chambers and an element therebetween displaced by the pressure differential between said chambers, said element being connected to said valve part, an air pump including an'air chamber and a volumetric displacement member therein, means connecting in said valve passage and functioning on displacement to regulate the fiowin said valve passage, a pressure responsive actuator including relatively high and low pressure chambers and an element therebetween displaced in one direction by pressure differential between said chambers, spring means urging said element in an opposite direction, said element being connected to said valve part, and air pump means connected to and operatively displaced by said valve part and having an air discharge passage connected to said first named. discharge passage.

12. A regulating valve and air charger for a pump and storage tank comprising, a body having intake and discharge passages and a connecting valve passage, a valve part operatively positioned in said valve passage and functioning on displacement to regulate the flow in said valve pas-' sage, a pressure responsive actuator including relatively high and low pressure chambers and an element therebetween displaced by the pressure differential between said chambers, said element being connected to said valve part, an air pump including an air chamber and a volumetric displacement member therein, means connecting said member to said actuator element for displacement thereby, atmospheric air intake means for said air chamber, and air discharge means for said chamber connected to said first named .discharge passage.

13. A pressure responsive device of the charflexible diaphragms peripherally secured to said casing adjacent opposite walls thereof to define with said walls end chambers of variable volume,

' an interior wall extending across said casing between said diaphragms and defining therewith a pair of interior chambers, said interior wall be ng formed with a valve passage, a valve member connected to said diaphragms to provide joint movement thereof between positions of said valve respectively opening and closing said valve passage, said valve member being movable to open position on application of a pressure differential to one of said end chambers and one of said intermediate chambers, and spring means urging said valve member to closed position on discontinuance of said pressure difierential.

14. A pressure responsive air charger and valve mechanism comprising, a casing divided into first, second, third and fourth chambers by a flexible diaphragm'spaced from each end thereof and a wall between said diaphragms, an opening through said wall'and a valve member to open and close said opening, said valve connected to and moving in unison with said diaphragms, means to normally position said valve member to closed position to cause the inner chamber at one end to be contracted and the outer chamber acter described comprising, a casing, a pair of a 1o a at said end to be I outer chambers at the other end to be expanded and contracted respectively, means to connect said first inner chamber to a source of higher T a check valve in said inlet permitting flow only.

into said chamber, a connection between said second end chamber and second intermediate chamber, and an outlet from said second intermediate chamber. 7

15. In combination with a pump and storage tank therefor, an air. charging means comprising a reciprocating pressure responsive element adapted for connection to the discharge and intake passages oi said pump and motivated by the pressure differential generated by said pump when in operation, and a reciprocating air pump element connected to andmotivated by said first element and having an air discharge passage adapted for connection to said tank.

16. An air charger for a pump and storage tank comprising, a; body formed with relatively high and low pressure chambers, a movable element mounted between said chambers and displaced by the pressure differential therein, means 3 for connecting said chambers to an external source of pressure differential, an air chamber in said body, a volumetric displacement member in said air chamber, means connecting said member to said element for joint movement, and an air intake and discharge means connected to said air chamber said air discharge means being conchamber, means connecting said member and element, and air intake and discharge means connected to said air chamber, said air discharge means being connected to said pump discharge passage.

18. In a pump and storage tank system, the

combination of a pump having intake and discharge passages developing therebetween a pressure differential during operation of the pump; and an air charger comprising a casing, a movable diaphragm mounted in said casing and defining therewith on opposite sides of said diaphragm a pair of chambers, means-for connecting said chambers to said pump passages whereby during operation of said pump said diaphragm will be displaced in one direction by the pressure difierential in said chambers, spring means for displacing said diaphragm in a reverse direction upon discontinuance of pump operation, a second movable diaphragm mounted in said casing and defining with said casing an air chamber, means connecting said diaphragms for joint movement, and air'intake and discharge means connected to said chamber, said air discharge means being connected to said pump discharge passage.

19. In combination with a pump and storage tank therefor; a pump operated air charger for expanded 'and theinner and I 2,; 11 said tank comprising, therethrough, means for connecting said passage 1 between the output of said pump and the intake or said tank, a pressure responsive element in said casing communicated on one side of said element with said passage and defining with said casing .a chamber on the opposite side of said element,

means for connecting said chamber to said pump at a fluid point having a relatively lower pressure during operation of said pump than said pump output whereby during operation oi. said pump said element will be displaced by the pressure differential in said passage and said chamber in the direction of said chamber, means ior displacing said element in a reverse direction upon discontinuance of pump operation, an air cham-- 'ber in said casing, a volumetric displacement a casing having a passage I airdischargemeansconnectingsaidairchamber 5 withsaidcasing JACK E. PICCARDO.

. summers en's-n 10 The following. references are of record in the file oi this patent: I I

uurrm sums PATENTS Number Date Name 2,288,818 rune: ..--./June 16.1942 15 5 2,288,437 Conery June 80,1942

2,303,637 Fuller Dec. '1, 1942 

